Ambient condition responsive visual indicator

ABSTRACT

A visual indicating system comprised of a translucent panel including an opaque reflected image formed on its front surface and an opaque coating on its back surface which includes uncoated areas which form a transmitted image. The transmitted light image includes areas colored identically to the reflective image which are positioned immediately behind and encompassing the reflective image of similar color. Selective illumination means are disposed for illuminating the translucent panel thereby causing one of the images to be dominate over the other.

Ilnited States Patent [191 Gibbs et a1.

[451 Mar. 12, 1 974 AMBIENT CONDITION RESPONSIVE VISUAL INDICATOR 22Filed: Mar. 4, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 120,822

[52] US. Cl. 340/366 R, 340/148 R, 340/380 R [51] Int. Cl. G08b 5/00[58] Field of Search 340/148; 40/130, 135

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 957,119 5 1910 Spiegel 40137 R 1,362,284 12/1920 Gay 40/137 R X 3,163,554 12/1964 Gessler 40/135R X 3,205,598 9/1965 Grosse 40/135 R X 3,440,349 4/1969 Gibbs 179/13,480,912 11/1969 Speeth 340/148 3,518,666 6/1970 l-leggestad 340/3803,420,949 l/1969 McNaney 340/380 Primary ExaminerHarold I. PittsAttorney, Agent, or Firm-John B. Dickman, III

[57] ABSTRACT I V A visual indicating system comprised of a translucentpanel including an opaque reflected image formed on its front surfaceand an opaque coating on its back surface which includes uncoated areaswhich form a transmitted image. The transmitted light image includesareas colored identically to the reflective image which are positionedimmediately behind and encompassing the reflective image of similarcolor. Selective illumination means are disposed for illuminating thetranslucent panel thereby causing one of the images to be dominate overthe other.

24 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Pmmmum mm 3791.012

SHEH 1. IF 3 /Z cfm INVENTORS. U/AEAES H 6/555 MAL/AM 0. MAN/N lzumwmmPATENTEDRAR 12 1914 SHEET 3 OF 3 M m N MSW W N50 E5 5 WQM G & 5M 5 8 HMm MWMU AMBIENT CONDITION RESPONSIVE VISUAL INDICATOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention is an improvement of US. Pat. No. 3,440,349issued on Apr. 22, 1969, to C, H. Gibbs, a coinventor hereof. Thedisclosure of said patent forms a part of this disclosure and isincorporated by reference herein.

The description in the above identified patent is directed to a soundresponsive system for changing a facial expression from a smile to afrown when the sound level in a room raises above a predetermined level.Expression changes are affected by using two light conducting layers,each displaying a different expression. Each of the light conductivelayers is associated with a separate lamp and accordingly each layer isindividually illuminated as the lamps are lit at different times.

Although the above described system is very satisfactory, further studysince its conception has resulted in various improvements which havereduced its complexity and consequently the cost of fabrication. Theadditional study has also resulted in the finding of broader anddifferent applications of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In its broadest aspects the inventiondiscloses a system for changing a pictorial representation in responseto changes in an ambient condition. A single layer of translucentmaterial has a design configuration deposed on its outer surface by useof light reflecting materials, such as reflective paint. The innersurface is provided with a different configuration by use of a lightfiltering substance, such as translucent paint.

A combination of opaque substances with transparent substances or opaquesubstances along with the light translucent layer can also be used onthe inner surface to produce the different configuration.

A transducer is exposed to an ambient condition and yields an outputwhich varies in response to changes in the condition. The transduceroutput changes are used to actuate a control circuit which controls theselective illumination of the surfaces of the translucent layer. As anexample the transducer can be a microphone and the two surfaces designedto show a smiling face when the noise level is low and a frowning facewhen the noise level raises to an objectionable level. As anotherexample, the low level design can show a shy animal, such as a deer orrabbit. When the sound level becomes objectionable the animal disappearsas if itwere frightened away.

The specific embodiments fully described hereinafter are directed tosound responsive systems. This is done only as a convenience indescribing the system as conditions other than sound can be used. It isapparent that designs other than faces and animals can be used. Forexample, the transducer can be light responsive and the design can be asign which warns of inadequate lighting in stairways or halls.

The system can also be used to change the wording and configuration ofan advertising display.

The system can also be temperature responsive and indicate, for example,above freezing and below freezing or swimming weather" and non-swimmingweather as the temperature varies about a preselected value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1a and 1b show the front andrear surfaces of a single translucent layer capable of changing apictorial showing.

FIGS. 1c and 1d show an embodiment utilizing opaque paint and atranslucent surface.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a single layer,two lamp system.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment utilizing a light projectionscheme.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment which utilizes light conducting rods.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show an embodiment in which a portion of the scenedisappears in response to a change in the sensed condition.

FIGS. 6a, b and c show an embodiment used in an advertising display.

FIG. 7 is a preferred embodiment of a control circuit for any of the twolamp systems.

FIG. 8 is a preferred embodiment utilizing fiber optics and bundles oflight conducting rods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. la and 1b show the front(FIG. 1a) and rear '(FIG. 1b) surfaces of a translucent layer 10. Thefront surface of layer'10 includes smiling lips 11, a pair of happy eyes12, and a mouth 13. The eyes, lips, and mouth can be painted on withlight reflective paint, and obviously different colors can be used. Forexample, the eyes can be red, the lips white, and the mouth blue. Anaperture 14, which extends completely through layer 10, is positioned inthe location where a nose would ordinarily be found-A lamp 15 (FIG. 2)is positioned in aperture 14 and serves as a nose.

The rear surface (FIG. 1b) of layer 10 has a frowning mouth 16 and apair of sad eyes 17. Mouth 16 and eyes 17 can be applied by usingtranslucent paint. The rear surface is further coated with variouscolors of translucent paint. Accordingly, the portion 18 which liesabove line 19 is red and that portion 20 below line 19 is blue. Mouth 16and eyes 17 can be white paint, for example. By using this exemplarycolor scheme, and the exemplary colors hereinabove for eyes 12 and mouth13, when the rear surface is illuminated the light passes through thetranslucent paint and therefore washes out the colors on the frontsurfaces. In this manner the expression changes from a smile to a frown.

The expression change can also be effectively accomplished by using anopaque coating on the rear surface of layer 10 except for eyes 17' andmouth 16' where no coating is used. The entire front surface is coatedexcept for the eyes 12 and mouth 13' where no-coating is used, asillustrated in FIGS. 1C and 1D. By making sad eyes 17' and sad mouth 16of the rear expression coincide with the unpainted eyes 12' and mouth13' of the front surface a maximum amount of light passes from back tofront when the rear light is on. Thus, the normally visible frontexpression is overriden by the brightness and sharp edge definition ofthe rear expression, rather than by color wash out from rear translucentmaterials as in the FIGS. 1A and 1B embodiment. The edges of the eyes onthe front surface need not be a color which is different from thesurrounding area; these edges may be made molded or formed into thelayer itself. Furthermore, the entire front surface need not be coloredat all. The front expression can be made visible from just a molded orformed impression in the layer. A front color (or colors) may be used ifdesired. However, all the facial features on the front surface shown inFIG. 1C can be unpainted or painted the same or different colors. Theonly requirement is that the front surface is translucent.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the mounting of layer onto an opaquecavity 21. Cavity 21 can be formed from metal or any opaque materialsimply by making a cup like member having a radius substantially equalto that of layer 10. A second lamp 22 is mounted within cavity 21. Layer10 is then affixed to the edge of cavity 22 and a sealing substance orsome other convenient method is used to close any gap through whichlight from lamp 22 could pass.

In operation lamps and 22 are connected into a control circuit, such asshown in FIG. 7, fully described hereinafter. A sound level detectiondevice detects the noise level in the room where the system is mountedon a wall, for example;

When the noise level is normal, ornot objectionable, lamp 15 isilluminated and lamp 22 is not. Accordingly, light from lamp 15 isreflected from the facial characteristics 11, 12, and 13 and a smilingface is seen.

When the noise level raises above the acceptable level, the controlcircuit changes states and lamp 15 is extinguished and lamp 22illuminated. Light from lamp 22 then passes through the translucentpaint. layers 18 and 20 as well as the sad eyes 17 and frown 16. Thehappy eyes 12 and mouth 13 are then effectively washed out and afrowning face is seen. The opaque embodiment shown in FIGS. 1C and 1Dcan also be used in this manner. i

The electronic circuit can be designed to punish. For example, theexpression can be made to remain sad a given length of time after roomconditions are quiet. Also, hysteresis can be built into the circuit sothat once it switches to sad, the noise level must drop below the noiselevel that made it switch to sad originally before it will switch backto happy. This is a second method of designed in punishment. The firsteffect can be accomplished by placing a delay in the switching circuit.The second can be accomplished by preventing switching of the circuitback to its normal state during theperiod in which the noise levelremains above the switching level. Both ofthese can be done in anyofseveral manners by those skilled in the art.

An alternative operation can be realized by allowing lamp 15 to burncontinuously and switching only lamp 22. In this operation lamp 22switches on and off as the sound level increases and decreases. Thelight passing layer 10 when lamp 22 is illuminated is effective to washout the happy characteristics and display the sad characteristics.

In the description above, the happy expression is placed on the frontsurface of layer 10 and the sad'expression on the rear surface. Thesecan be reversed if desired. However, the switching sequence would alsohave to be changed.

Another mode of operation is made possible by omitting lamp 15. In thisinstance aperture 14 is replaced with a reflective nose painted anydesired color. The ambient light reflects from the front surface andshows a smiling face when the noise level is acceptable. When the noiselevel becomes objectionable, lamp 22 is illuminated and the expressionchanges to a frown.

This operation has the disadvantage of not operating at night. The otherembodiments have a continuously burning lamp and a smiling face.Consequently the system can also serve as a night light for a nursery.The smiling face and cheery light would be comforting to a child. Thefigure can also be a man-in-the-moon which changes from a full moon to apartial moon. This embodiment can be operated by a noise circuit or canbe switched manually like a desk lamp.

Since this model is to be used in a darkened room,

the new moon expression does not have to be very bright, and luminescentpaint can be used.

The change in expression can be achieved as previously described with afront lamp and rear lamp as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. A second methodfor changing expression is to use a front bulb to show the firstexpression and luminescent or fluorescent paint to show the secondexpression; When the front lamp goes out, the luminescent expressionbecomes dominant in the darkened room. The single lamp can also beplaced behind'the translucent layer if desired. The luminescentexpression can be painted on either the front or rear surface of thetranslucent layer.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment in which the facial expressions are projectedonto the translucent layer. Accordingly translucent layer 23 is notpainted on either surface. Opaque shell 24 is divided into twocompartments 26 and 27 by an opaque separator 25. Compartment 26contains a lamp 28 and a happy transparent image 29. Image 29 is in theformof a positive and accordingly the facial characteristics are thesame colors as those desired in the projected image. Light raysemanating from lamp 28 are naturally divergent and consequently anenlargement of the image 29 will appear on layer 28. However, adiverging lens can be used to enlarge the image and also to enhance thesharpness of the projected image.

The projected image can also be dimensionally increased by placing anopaque hollow right cylinder between layer 23 and shell 24.

Compartment 27 contains a lamp 3 0 and a sad transparent image 31. Sadimage 31 is identical in construction to happy image 29. The onlydifference in the two images is the facial expressions they project ontolayer 23.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment which utilizes light conducting rods. A happyexpression is created by the use of two light rods 32 and 33 which arepreferably situated in the same vertical plane. Eyes 34 are formed inrod 32 by bending the rod into two arcs. A mouth 35 is created by theformation of a longer arc. The eyes 34 and mouth'35 are caused totransmit light by roughening the surface of rods 32 and 33 in the areaswhere light must pass radially from the rods; This effect can also berealized by cutting grooves into the rods at the appropriate areas.

Rods 32 and 33 are illuminated by exposing the ends of the rods to alight source 36 in a manner known in the art.

A sad expression is created by the use of light conducting rods 37 and38. Eyes 39 are formed by cutting grooves or roughening rod 37 in theappropriate areas. The eyes 39 then appear narrow and sad, while eyes 34appear wide and joyous. An unhappy mouth 40 is formed from an arc whichcurves downwardly.

Rods 37 and 38 are positioned in a vertical plane and can be eitherbehind or in front of the plane in which rods 34 and 35 lie. The sadexpression is created by illuminating their ends with a light source 41.

A translucent layer 42 is positioned in a plane parallel to those inwhich the rods 32, 33 and 37, 38 lie. The rods and lamps 36 and 41 areplaced into an opaque container and layer 42 is placed over the openend.

The expression appearing on the layer 42 is changed from happy to sad byextinguishing lamp 36 and actuating lamp 41.

Another embodiment using light conducting rods is shown in FIG. 8. Inthis embodiment a number of light conducting 85 rods (fiber optics) areused for each facial expression by forming the eyes 86 and mouth 87 formdifferent bundles of rods. A single lamp 88 illuminates all of theoptical fibers so that the illuminated rods are visible on a screen 89.The facial expressions are thus formed by the end of the rods, or lightdispersing bulbs on the rod ends. A translucent layer can be used tohide the rods and lamps. A change of expression is effected by lightinga second bundle of fiber elements 90 with a second lamp 91. The secondbundle of fibers 90 is used to form a frowning expression as illustratedin FIG. 8.

Another embodiment is suggested by FIG. 4. Light conducting rods 32, 33,37 and 38 and lamps 36 and 41 can be replaced with neon tubes. The tubesare opaque in all areas except those where a facial characteristic isdesired. In these areas the portion of the tube forming layer 42 istransparent. Obviously, various colors can be used for the variouscharacteristics. This embodiment would be particularly useful with anadvertising embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6.

FIGS. 5a and 512 show an embodiment in which an increase in sound levelis indicated by the disappearance of a portion of the scene. A tranquilscene 43, such as a woods, includes a shy animal 44, such as a deer,rabbit, or butterfly, as shown in FIG. 5a. When the sound level becomesexcessive, the increase is indicated by the disappearance of the animal,as illustrated in FIG. 5b.

The disappearance of the animal 44 can be effected in any of thehereinabove described methods. Animal 44 can be painted on the outersurface of the scene with reflective paint. A coating of translucentpaint of the same color is placed on the rear surface of the scene. Thetranslucent layer must extend beyond all the sides of the animal figure44. The front surface is illuminated by either a lamp or the ambientlight. This light is reflected by the reflective paint and therefore theanimal figure is visible. When the noise level increases, a lamp (notshown) behind the animal figure is actuated and the color of thetranslucent paint is visible on the front surface of scene 43. Thiscauses the animal figure 44 to appear to disappear.

It is readily apparent that the projection technique shown in FIG. 3 andthe light conducting medium technique shown in FIG. 4 can also be usedto cause the running away of a shy animal.

I The light conducting medium can be used by applying the entire scene,except for the animal, on the outer surface of the translucent layer.The animal figure is then formed from a light conducting medium, such asa piece of flat plastic, and placed behind the layer. A light sourceilluminates the edge of the figure during low noise levels to show theanimal. When the noise increases, the lamp is extinguished and theanimal disappears. The front surface can be illuminated either by aseparate lamp or by ambient light.

FIG. 6 is a preferred embodiment showing the use of the invention in anadvertising display. For this usage the condition responsive transduceris replaced with a free running switching circuit, such as amultivibrator 45. The switching frequency can be adjusted by the use ofa potentiometer 46. Multivibrators and other forms of switchingcircuitry are known in art and further description is therefore notrequired.

Changes in the state of switching circuit 45 result in the alternateactuation of lamps 47 and 48 as well as the alternate actuation ofwritten displays 49 and 90 (FIG. 6a). When lamp 47 is actuated, a sadexpression 91 is shown (FIG. 6a). At the same time a written message 49is displayed. When switching circuit 45 changes states, a smiling face92 (FIG. 6b) and written message 90 are visible. Any of the techniquesdescribed hereinabove can be used to effect the facial changes. Thewritten changes can be effected by the use of a series of lamps or neonlights in manners well known in the art. However, the inventivetechnique herein described can also be used to effect the writtenmessage changes.

FIG. 7 is a preferred embodiment of a control circuit which can be usedin conjunction with any of the embodiments described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 6. A transducer 50 is exposed to an ambient condition such asnoise or light. If the circuit is sound responsive,

transducer 50 is a low impedance microphone. If light is the controllingcondition, a photocell is used. It should be noted that for theadvertising embodiment of FIG. 6 the entire control circuit except theswitching circuitry is replaced with a bistable circuit such as amultivibrator.

A low gain, negative feedback D.C. amplifier 51 receives the output oftransducer 50. The amplifier 51 includes three transistor stages Q1, Q2,and Q ,,as well as appropriate collector load resistors 55, 56, and 57.Negative feedback is provided by a resistor 58 connected between thecollector of transistor 0;. and output lead 61 of microphone 50.

The DC. gain of amplifier 51 is limited by the negative feedback whichserves to stabilize the amplifier D.C. operation. Further stability canbe realized by inserting a Zener diode in series with resistor 58.

The emitter of transistor Q is connected to output lead 61 of transducer50 through capacitor 60. Capacitor serves as an AC. bypass so that highA.C. gain is possible while limiting the DC. gain. Variable resistor 59permits adjustment of the A.C. gain.

The output of amplifier 51 is coupled to a rectifier and integratorcircuit 52. Rectification is accomplished by transistor 0., and biasresistors 63 and 64. Values for resistors 63 and 64 are selected to biastransistor just below cut-off and consequently it does not conduct whenthere is no input signal from transducer 50.

When there is an input from transducer 50, transistor Q conducts. Itsoutput is coupled to an integrator comprised of a resistor 66 andcapacitor 67. A bistable circuit 53,- which includes transistors Q Q andQ receives the integrated output on the base of .transistor Q Theemitter of transistor O is coupled to the base of transistor Q through aresistor 68. The base of transistor Q, is coupled to the collector of Qthrough a resistor 72. The values of resistors 68 and 72 determine thevoltage at which the circuit will change states.

Resistor 73 couples the collector of transistor Q to the controlelectrode 77 of a thyristor 76. Resistor 80 couples the collector of Qto the control electrode 79 of thyristor 78. When the voltage on controlelectrode 77 is sufficient to fire thyristor 76 a current path existsfrom A.C. input terminal 81 through lamp 15 to ground. In similarfashion lamp 22 is actuated when a voltage sufficient to fire thyristor78 is available on control electrode 79. Resistors 69 and 74 serve ascollector load resistors for transistors Q and Q respectively.

Input terminal 81 can be connected to a 110 VAC supply, such as a commonhouse supply. The DC. voltage required for DC. input 82 can be obtainedby rectifying the AC. input available on terminal 81. Several plyvoltage VDC. Transistors Q and Q are therefore conductive. Since O isnon-conductive, control electrode 79 of thyristor 78 is coupled to theVDC supply through resistors 74 and 80. This places a firing voltage onthe control electrode 79 of thyristor 78. Lamp is therefore conductiveand lamp 22 is non-conductive.

When the noise level raises, an output is realized from amplifier 51.Transistor Q4 becomes conductive and capacitor 67 discharges. TransistorQ5 then becomes non-conductive resulting in the saturation of transistorQ7 and resulting in Q6 becoming nonconductive. This raises the voltageon the control electrode 77 of thyristor 76 and actuates lamp 22 andlamp 15 turns off.

The circuit can be simplified for single bulb operation by removingtransistor Q7, thyristor 76 and resistors 71, 72, and 73. Resistor 80would then be conconjunction with ambient light. Several types of visualindicators can be used; such as changing facial expressions, thedisappearance of a shy animal, or changing written messages.

We claim: a

1. A visual indicating system, comprising: a translucent panel includingfront and back surfaces, an opaque reflective image formed on said frontsurface, an opaque coating on said back surface including uncoated areasforming a transmitted light image, said transmitted light imageincluding areas colored identically to said reflective image andpositioned immediately behind and encompassing said reflective image ofsimilar color, and selective illumination means disposed forilluminating said translucent panel thereby causing one of said imagesto be dominant over the other.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said reflective image is illuminated byambient light and said selective illumination means includes a dominantlight source 8 disposed behind said translucent panel for selectivelyilluminating said transparent image and masking said reflective image.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said translucent image is illuminatedby ambient light and said selective illumination means includes adominant light source disposed in front of said translucent panel forselectively illuminating said reflective image and masking saidtranslucent image.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said selective illumination meansincludes a first dominant light source disposed in front of saidtranslucent panel for selectively illuminating said reflective image,and a second dominant light source disposed behind said translucentpanel for selectively illuminating said transparent image.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said dominant light source includesconfigured light conducting rods and separate illumination means toselectively illuminate individual ones of said rods.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein said second dominant light sourceincludes configured light conducting rods, and separate illuminationmeans to selectively illuminate individual ones of said rods.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein said second dominant light sourceincludes at least one light conductive medium formed in a desiredpattern and actuated by at least one light source, and at least oneother light conductive medium formed in a different desired pattern andactuated by a second light source, said light conductive medium beingscarred in areas selected to radially pass light.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said light conductive mediums are rodsarranged in separate planes in the proximity of said translucent panel.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein said second dominant light sourceincludes a light conductive design configuration in the proximity ofsaid translucent panel and arranged for illumination thereof.

10. The system of claim 4 wherein said second dominant light sourceincludes a plurality oflight conductive mediums, said mediums forming abundle illuminated at one end and the other ends of said mediums beinggrouped into features of said transparent image.

11. The system of claim 4 further including an opaque shell forcontaining said second dominant light source, said translucent panelbeing affixed across an aperture in said shell.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said transparent image is replaced byan opaque image.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said transparent image or saidreflective image contains a fluorescent substance.

14. The system of claim 1 further including means for selectivelyactuating said selective illumination means in response to ambientchanges.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said dominant light source includes atleast one light conductive medium formed in a desired pattern andactuated bysaid at least one light source; and at least one other lightconductive medium formed in a different desired pattern and actuated bya second light source; said light conductive mediums being scarred inareas selected to radially pass light.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said light conductive mediums arerods arranged in separate planes in the proximity of said translucentpanel.

17. The system of claim 2 wherein said dominant light source includes alight conductive design configuration in the proximity of saidtranslucent panel and arranged for illumination thereof.

18. The system of claim 2 further including an opaque shell forcontaining said dominant light source; said translucent panel beingaffixed across an aperture in said shell.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein said means for selectively actuatingincludes a transducer for actuating said selective illumination means assaid ambient condition varies about a preselected level;'and a bistablecontrol circuit which changes condition in response to said variations.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said transducer is a sound responsiveelement and said bistable control circuit includes a pair of separatelyactuated thyristors.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said control circuit further includesan integrator for changing the condition of said thyristors.

22. The system of claim 2 wherein said dominant light source includes aplurality of light conductive mediums; said mediums forming a bundleilluminated at one end and the other ends of said mediums being groupedinto features of said transparent image.

23. The system of claim 19 further including means for delayingactuation of said selective illumination means for a predeterminedperiod of time after said ambient condition returns to said preselectedlevel.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein said selective il- Iumination meansremains in a switched state until said ambient condition falls belowsaid preselected level.

1. A visual indicating system, comprising: a translucent panel including front and back surfaces, an opaque reflective image formed on said front surface, an opaque coating on said back surface including uncoated areas forming a transmitted light image, said transmitted light image including areas colored identically to said reflective image and positioned immediately behind and encompassing said reflective image of similar color, and selective illumination means disposed for illuminating said translucent panel thereby causing one of said images to be dominant over the other.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said reflective image is illuminated by ambient light and said selective illumination means includes a dominant light source disposed behind said translucent panel for selectively illuminating said transparent image and masking said reflective image.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said translucent image is illuminated by ambient light and said selective illumination means includes a dominant light source disposed in front of said translucent panel for selectively illuminating said reflective image and masking said translucent image.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said selective illumination means includes a first dominant light source disposed in front of said translucent panel for selectively illuminating said reflective image, and a second dominant light source disposed behind said translucent panel for selectively illuminating said transparent image.
 5. The system of claim 2 wherein said dominant light source includes configured light conducting rods and separate illumination means to selectively illuminate individual ones of said rods.
 6. The system of claim 4 wherein said second dominant light source includes configured light conducting rods, and separate illumination means to selectively illuminate individual ones of said rods.
 7. The system of claim 4 wherein said second dominant light source includes at least one light conductive medium formed in a desired pattern and actuated by at least one light source, and at least one other light conductive medium formed in a different desired pattern and actuated by a second light source, said light conductive medium being scarred in areas selected to radially pass light.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein said light conductive mediums are rods arranged in separate planes in the proximity of said translucent panel.
 9. The system of claim 4 wherein said second dominant light source includes a light conductive design configuration in the proximity of said translucent panel and arranged for illumination thereof.
 10. The system of claim 4 wherein said second dominant light source includes a plurality of light conductive mediums, said mediums forming a bundle illuminated at one end and the other ends of said mediums being grouped into features of said transparent image.
 11. The system of claim 4 further including an opaque shell for containing said second dominant light source, said translucent panel being affixed across an aperture in said shell.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein said transparent image is replaced by an opaque image.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said transparent image or said reflective image contains a fluorescent substance.
 14. The system of claim 1 further including means for selectively actuating said selective illumination means in response to ambient changes.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein said dominant light source includes at least one light conductive medium formed in a desired patTern and actuated by said at least one light source; and at least one other light conductive medium formed in a different desired pattern and actuated by a second light source; said light conductive mediums being scarred in areas selected to radially pass light.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein said light conductive mediums are rods arranged in separate planes in the proximity of said translucent panel.
 17. The system of claim 2 wherein said dominant light source includes a light conductive design configuration in the proximity of said translucent panel and arranged for illumination thereof.
 18. The system of claim 2 further including an opaque shell for containing said dominant light source; said translucent panel being affixed across an aperture in said shell.
 19. The system of claim 14 wherein said means for selectively actuating includes a transducer for actuating said selective illumination means as said ambient condition varies about a preselected level; and a bistable control circuit which changes condition in response to said variations.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein said transducer is a sound responsive element and said bistable control circuit includes a pair of separately actuated thyristors.
 21. The system of claim 20 wherein said control circuit further includes an integrator for changing the condition of said thyristors.
 22. The system of claim 2 wherein said dominant light source includes a plurality of light conductive mediums; said mediums forming a bundle illuminated at one end and the other ends of said mediums being grouped into features of said transparent image.
 23. The system of claim 19 further including means for delaying actuation of said selective illumination means for a predetermined period of time after said ambient condition returns to said preselected level.
 24. The system of claim 19 wherein said selective illumination means remains in a switched state until said ambient condition falls below said preselected level. 